Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Don’t you wish there was a master list of warning signs when dating? It sure would make things a tad easier when weeding out the sane from the psycho or the liars from the truth-tellers.

Here’s a starter list of statements and phrases, that if your partner says on the first date or in those first get-to-know-you phone conversations or e-mails, you should either put up your guard and investigate more or immediately end all communication and change your phone number.

“My back is really killing me. I’ve got to find a more comfortable bed than that raggedy couch.”

“If we start dating, then I think it’s best you tell your friend Margaret that you can’t see her anymore. You only need me in your life.”

“Oh, I bet you want to know who that was who just called me. Well, I told the creditors not to call me at work anymore and just to ring me on my cell – it cuts out the middle man.”

“I gotta be home by 7 p.m., because Rob, my parole officer, will be there.”

Maybe we can come up with that master list of red flags if you contribute by posting in the comments. I bet there are some good ones out there!

15 comments:

Anonymous
said...

When the topic of their ex comes up on the first date that is never a good sign. A quick rundown of their status as single is OK....all the details of the breakup are a turn off. Amazing though how many people don't realize this and go on and on about the past.

Why do you put this garbage on this website? Would you honestly say this adds to the vailidty of Charlotte.com? I'm floored by the nimbwitted, brain dulling topic. I can't believe this is your job, to make everyone dumber. What possesses someone to put this topic on Charlotte.com? Originally I thought the two of you brainstormed this idea and failed miserabley at being clever, then I saw your picture and an concluded the two of you might have actually had these things said. Uggos.

I love this blog. Ladies, keep up the good work. As always, ignore the haters. If they don't like it, they can go waste their time with a "Wazzup" video, or a stupid "Omigod, Big Brother is so awesome" blog. Hahahaha....

Usually I don't comment, but I'm very confused by this article. For one, I hope you don't get paid for this. If you wanted to take a vacation then just say so, but to put forth the "effort" and post this is absurd. I can't believe you didn't come up with "If we go back to my place, you'll have to leave before midnight cuz that's when my wife will be home." See how well that fits with your other examples? Well, it only took me 2 seconds to think of it. Can I get a job too?

"Hi my name is Diedre and I work for the observer on a "relating" column."

This means you can't get a full time job and that you have a lot of isuues that you are currently expressing via the world wide web. Once you get a boyfriend / husband / man / bubba / brother you will project all of your issues/insecurities on that person. Please stop now and just go lessy or single in on one guy...

When your boyfriend/SO (who at the time of this occasion you'd been dating for 6 years) announces to all and sundry at the wedding of the friend(s) who introduced you (the couple in question had been dating 14 years) well, we haven't gotten the record yet, but we're certainly looking forward to that. Huh?????

About This Blog

Alicia Roberts (39, married, two kids) is a news editor at the Charlotte Observer. Deirdre McGruder (39, single) is an online producer for CharlotteObserver.com.

Alicia is a big fan of the send-it-out-into-the-universe-and-see-what-happens method of making connections ... romantic and otherwise. She also tries, with very limited success at this point in her life, to bite her tongue when anger gets in the way of reason in any relationship.

Deirdre is happily single and not looking for a mate (but some men can convince her to go on trial runs). She thinks close friends are crucial, self-knowledge is integral and an open-minded outlook is helpful.